Chapter 1658 : The Celestial Gambit

After all, a single Celestial Immortal Great Power [a supreme cultivator who has ascended to the celestial realm] intervening in a battle between Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the very cusp of the Celestial Immortal realm] was akin to overturning the game board entirely.

This was a conflict with no room for doubt, one that would smooth over any unforeseen variables. No matter how Heaven-Defying Fate Alteration [the act of defying the heavens to alter one's destiny] Eldrin Chen might be, he could not possibly prevail against such overwhelming force.

Considering this, Clear Distant Saintess smiled faintly and said, "It is a sound strategy. Though the legacy of more than twenty Half-Step Celestial Immortal will now fall cheaply into the hands of that Western Abyss Dragon King."

Once the First Holy Scion [the foremost chosen successor of a holy lineage] made his decision, the other seven great powers of the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea issued nearly identical commands almost simultaneously.

The Path Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of conflict and upheaval that tests the fate of all cultivators and sects] had already erupted. The major powers had been preparing their forces for tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of years.

With hostilities already commenced, there was no opportunity to seek out new adversaries.

As for Song Luo, a true disciple of the Celestial Net Ancient Sect located within the Leaf Ruins Divine Sea, the departure of the Western Abyss Dragon King filled him with nothing but delight.

In this conflict, with the departure of the Primordial Era Immortal Clan Taiyang Clan, the Celestial Net Ancient Sect had been left to face the Heavenly Dragon Grotto-Heaven and the Nirvana Dragon Clan alone, its strength stretched perilously thin.

Once the Western Abyss Dragon King withdrew his forces, the pressure on the Celestial Net Ancient Sect would lessen dramatically. Facing the Nirvana Dragon Clan alone, they might finally have a chance to slay their great enemy and achieve the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a legendary and supremely stable foundation for one's cultivation path].

Upon receiving the news, the Western Abyss Dragon King could not contain his wild, triumphant joy.

He understood the formidable defensive power of the Ninth Rank grand formation. Therefore, he did not recklessly attempt to force his way through. Instead, he began to summon the entire Demon Race forces from across the Hundred Seas of Returning Abyss, intending to shatter the formation with overwhelming might and utterly annihilate the Chen Immortal Clan.

Returning to the main thread, just as external forces were preparing to move against the Chen Clan, the various Half-Step Celestial Immortal powerhouses of the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance had all returned within the Stellar Glazed Boundary.

For three hundred years, they had performed in this grand play. Apart from the Half-Step Celestial Immortal experts, not even the Earth Immortal cultivators were permitted to approach the battlefield.

They had deceived everyone, staging a scene of a pyrrhic victory won at great cost. Their purpose was to lull the major powers into a false sense of security, making them believe the Chen Immortal Clan was no longer a significant threat, thereby buying precious time to digest the spoils of war.

Now that the performance was over, they had all gathered within the Stellar Glazed Boundary. Each gazed upon the resources laid before them, faces breaking into expressions of exhilarated smiles.

"This campaign has yielded our Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance a bountiful harvest. Once we fully assimilate these gains, our ascent will be meteoric."

Within the Great Hall, the eighteen Half-Step Celestial Immortal experts looked upon the treasures before them, each revealing a faint smile of satisfaction.

Eldrin Chen also smiled. These eighth-rank Supreme-Grade Path Source [the purest essence of a cultivator's Dao, used for profound breakthroughs] were extraordinary. Once refined, they were potent enough to forge over a dozen new Half-Step Celestial Immortal.

Of course, for Ninth Level Earth Immortal cultivators to refine such Path Source would be a grievous waste of a priceless treasure. The optimal choice was for those present here to refine them for their own breakthroughs.

Thinking this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight smile and spoke, "Let us take stock of our gains."

Eldrin Chen spoke as he began to inventory the treasures in hand, and a list was swiftly compiled.

In this battle, they had slain seventeen Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the very cusp of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm]. The spoils seized were, naturally, astonishing beyond measure.

Setting aside the most precious items, the value of the rare treasures and materials below the Eighth Rank Supreme Grade [the pinnacle of the eighth rank, just below the ninth and highest rank] alone amounted to seven hundred million Immortal Source [a high-purity crystalized form of spiritual energy used by high-level immortals]. This meant the average value of treasures carried by each slain foe was close to forty million Immortal Source.

Yet these were merely the lesser spoils. The truly valuable treasures were those of Eighth Rank Supreme Grade and above.

These superior treasures could be broadly categorized as Path Source [a rare spiritual essence containing profound insights into a specific cultivation path], Primordial Unity Immortal Treasure [an immortal-grade artifact forged from the primordial chaos at the dawn of creation], World-Opening Supreme Treasure [a supreme treasure of immense power, said to be capable of shaping nascent worlds], or rare materials of comparable worth.

Among them, the World-Opening Supreme Treasure and Supreme Grade World-Opening Marvel [a natural wonder or material of the same supreme grade as a World-Opening Treasure] numbered a total of thirty-two.

There were seven Primordial Unity Immortal Treasure, three portions of Primordial Unity Rare Treasure [a rare material born from the same primordial chaos], and seventeen Supreme-Grade Path Source.

Once the inventory was complete, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Now that the spoils are tallied, let us discuss their division."

Hearing this, the others smiled faintly and turned their gazes to the assembled treasures before them.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen continued, "I have assessed the value of these items and assigned corresponding military merit points. You may each exchange your accrued merit for what you desire."

"If multiple individuals desire the same treasure, priority shall be given to the one with the most Merits [a metaphysical 'currency' representing accumulated good karma and virtuous deeds]."

Seeing this, no one raised any objections, and they immediately began exchanging treasures with immense joy.

Violet Mystery Path Master was the first to claim the Path Source [a condensed core of primordial path energy, crucial for a cultivator's advancement] from Extinction Thunder God. This particular Path Source resonated perfectly with his own cultivation path. Once refined, its effect would likely surpass even that of a Path Source from a cultivator with a Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [a foundational cultivation method that harmonizes two primordial energies].

Blazeflame Divine Spirit exchanged for the Path Source belonging to the Third Divine Scion. This Third Divine Scion was a standout among those with a Dual Primordial Unity Foundation, his combat prowess nearing the level of an Eighth Tribulation Earth Immortal [an Earth Immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations].

She estimated that after refining it, she should be able to step into the realm of an Eighth Tribulation Earth Immortal. At that point, she would fearlessly face two or even three opponents with a Dual Primordial Unity Foundation.

Ancient Ruins Nether Lord acquired the Path Source from Netherfire True Lord. This Path Source was imbued with the fires of the Netherworld [the underworld or realm of the dead], and refining it would cause his power to surge dramatically.

The remaining Path Source from cultivators with a Dual Primordial Unity Foundation were incompatible with Glazed Divine Lord's attributes. Instead of claiming these treasures, Glazed Divine Lord exchanged for five Path Source from cultivators with a Single Primordial Unity Foundation [a foundational cultivation method focusing on a single primordial energy].

Witnessing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with a thoughtful light.

These five Path Source were useless to beings with a Dual Primordial Unity Foundation. Glazed Divine Lord's purpose in acquiring them was clearly not simple.

Noticing his gaze, Glazed Divine Lord smiled faintly and explained, "There are five sisters within my clan who have been stuck at the Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal realm] for many years. This is the perfect opportunity to help them achieve their breakthrough."

Upon hearing this, everyone felt a tremor of astonishment in their hearts.

They knew well that the Three Maidens of Sun, Moon, and Stars of the Glazed Blessed Land Lord had only recently broken through to the Ninth Level Earth Immortal realm and were still some time away from reaching the Half-Step Celestial Immortal stage.

Therefore, the five individuals mentioned by the Glazed Divine Lord must undoubtedly be part of the hidden reserves of the Glazed Blessed Land.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen smiled faintly and said, "The Immortal Clam Clan truly lives up to its reputation as the most prosperous among the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races. Such profound reserves are indeed Extraordinary."

The Glazed Divine Lord offered a slight smile in return. "They cannot compare to the deep-rooted strength of the Chen Clan," he replied.

With that, the group resumed the distribution of the treasures.

The twelve Half-Step Celestial Immortal cultivators of the Chen Immortal Clan had all already established a Dual Primordial Unity Foundation. Furthermore, unburdened by a lack of resources and having mastered Mysterious Grade Divine Ability, their combat prowess was already comparable to that of an Eighth Tribulation Earth Immortal.

A Supreme-Grade Path Source [a supreme-grade source of primordial path energy] below the Seven Tribulations level would only serve to accumulate foundational energy for them, unable to propel them to the next stage.

Moreover, to attempt a breakthrough into the triple Primordial Unity Realm, even a Path Source of Seven Tribulations potency would offer only limited aid for those with a Dual Primordial Unity Foundation. Consequently, they did not prioritize selecting Path Source treasures this time.

Only after Seven Mystery Path Master and Heaven Abyss Path Master had each chosen a Supreme-Grade Path Source did the Chen Immortal Clan begin their own selection of treasures.

Among the remaining Path Source [a primordial essence that serves as the foundation for a cultivator's path], those suitable for the Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [a profound cultivation method requiring two harmonized foundational essences] were now only two in number: the Supreme-Grade Path Source [a pinnacle-grade foundational essence of exceptional purity] belonging to the Western Metal Patriarch [a title referring to a powerful artifact or being associated with the Metal element], and the one that had belonged to the Second Holy Scion.

The Second Holy Scion had cultivated a Great Path [a supreme cultivation method] aligned with the Solar [Yang] attribute, while the Western Metal Patriarch was aligned with the Metal attribute. Among their ranks, four individuals were suitable candidates: Eldrin Chen, Exquisite Jiang, Ethan Chen, and Energy Abyss Chen.

Eldrin Chen made the decision without hesitation, entrusting both Path Source to Energy Abyss Chen.

Both of these Path Source were treasures of immense value. However, refining either one alone would be insufficient to forge a cultivator with a Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [the legendary cultivation foundation requiring the perfect harmony of three foundational essences].

Furthermore, the foundational strength of Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang was already so profound that even refining such treasures would offer little chance of a breakthrough.

Eldrin Chen reasoned that after Energy Abyss Chen refined them, his foundational potential would reach a state of flawless perfection. This would increase his chances of achieving the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation by ten to twenty percent.

At that time, if supplemented with treasures like the Innate Five Elements Fruit [a fruit born of heaven and earth containing the balanced essence of the five elements], the Innate Primordial Unity Pill [a legendary elixir that harmonizes one's primordial foundation], and Innate Enlightenment Lotus Seeds [seeds that can spark profound spiritual insight], this Eastern Sovereign Patriarch would very likely become the first true Triple Primordial Unity Foundation within their clan.